Hardly anyone could have missed out on the importance of new romantics during the 80’s and now we have a full book to indulge in and get nostalgic about the era that defined not just the music scene but also the looks. For us at Stereoklang acts like Japan, Duran Duran, Soft Cell and many others lured you into a lifestyle of escapism, fancy cigarettes and expensive drinks. Sweet Dreams charts the British cultural explosion that happened in the ten years from 1975-1985 — the rise of the New Romantics. Growing out of the remnants of the post-punk period, the New Romantics introduced club culture, ska, electronica, and goth to the world.
David Bowie. Culture Club. Wham!. Soft Cell. Duran Duran. Sade. Adam Ant. Spandau Ballet. The Eurythmics. ‘Excellent’ Guardian ‘Hugely enjoyable’ Irish Times ‘Dazzling’ LRB ‘Fascinating’ New Statesman ‘An absolute must-read’ GQ One of the most creative entrepreneurial periods since the Sixties, the era of the New Romantics grew out of the remnants of post-punk and developed quickly alongside club culture, ska, electronica, and goth.
The scene had a huge influence on the growth of print and broadcast media, and was arguably one of the most bohemian environments of the late twentieth century. Not only did it visually define the decade, it was the catalyst for the Second British Invasion, when the US charts would be colonised by British pop music – making it one of the most powerful cultural exports since the Beatles. In Sweet Dreams, Dylan Jones charts the rise of the New Romantics through testimony from the people who lived it. For a while, Sweet Dreams were made of this.
It visually defined a decade and was also the catalyst for the Second British Invasion, when the US charts would be colonised by British pop music – Depeche Mode, Culture Club, Wham!, Soft Cell, Ultravox, Duran Duran, Sade, Spandau Ballet, the Eurythmics and many more – making it one of the most powerful cultural exports since the Beatles.
The story of the Blitz Kids, Synth-Pop and the Style Press from 1975 through to 1985 is covered in-depth, with the hardback book coming in at 688 pages. If you like the idea of that keeping you busy, the book is available to pre-order now ahead of the 1st October release date. But if you order it from Rough Trade, you can get your hands on a signed copy on day one – and for the same price as a standard copy anywhere else. £20 is that price.
Available via online and bookstores
Publisher: Faber & Faber
ISBN: 9780571353439
Number of pages: 688
Weight: 1060 g
Dimensions: 234 x 153 x 49 mm
Edition: Main